1. Scholarship & Bursary Seminar September 2009

2. Agenda 1. Introduction 2. Financing Post-Secondary Education 3. Scholarship & Bursary Award Criteria 4. Some Awards Available 5. Application Due Dates 6. Award Deferrals 7. Finding Award Information 8. The Application Package 9. Helpful Suggestions 10. Some Final Thoughts

3. Post-Secondary Education Estimated Living Costs Tuition and Fees$4500 Tuition and Fees$4500 Books & Supplies$1000 Books & Supplies$1000 Local Transportation $500 Local Transportation $500 Personal Expenses$2500 Personal Expenses$2500 Room & Board$6000 Room & Board$6000 * Costs will vary depending on individual circumstances. * Costs will vary depending on individual circumstances.

4. Tuition, Fees and Room/Board Expenses The information to the right is based on Sept. 21/09 post- secondary website info. The information to the right is based on Sept. 21/09 post- secondary website info. Fees are approximate, subject to change and based on a general program. Fees are approximate, subject to change and based on a general program. There will be additional textbook, transportation and personal expenses. There will be additional textbook, transportation and personal expenses. Financial costs are only one factor to consider. Financial costs are only one factor to consider. There are pros and cons to attending any post-secondary institution. Financial costs are only one factor to consider. There are pros and cons to attending any post-secondary institution. Financial costs are only one factor to consider. Post- Secondary Institution Tuition & Fees/per school yr. Room / BoardTotal UFV$4050 - - - - - - $4050 CBC$8550$5110$13,660 TWU$18,450$8000$26,450 UBC$5000 $9500 (on-campus / shared room) $14,500

5. Financing Post-Secondary Education  Personal Savings: Summer/Part-time Jobs  Passport to Education: Grades 10 – 12  Scholarships & Bursaries: Provincial (Academic) FISA (DDAA - Project based) Businesses and Organizations Post-Secondary Institutions  Parents: Scholarship Plans, Gifts, Loans  Government Loans: Provincial/Federal

6. Scholarship & Bursary Award Criteria Criteria for awarding scholarships & bursaries may include one or more of the following: high academic achievement high academic achievement extra-curricular activities extra-curricular activities school/community service school/community service leadership involvement leadership involvement good citizenship good citizenship membership in a specific organization (students/parents may need to be members at least one year), attendance at a specific elementary school or home address in a specific location membership in a specific organization (students/parents may need to be members at least one year), attendance at a specific elementary school or home address in a specific location financial need financial need nomination nomination pursuing specific post-secondary studies pursuing specific post-secondary studies pursuing a specific career and/or pursuing a specific career and/or connections – knowing the donor connections – knowing the donor

7. Passport to Education The Passport to Education program recognizes and rewards student achievement in Grades 10 – 12. The Passport awards are used to further students’ post-secondary education and job training. The Passport to Education program recognizes and rewards student achievement in Grades 10 – 12. The Passport awards are used to further students’ post-secondary education and job training. Passport to Education stamps will be given each June to top students in each of Grades 10, 11 and 12. Passport to Education stamps will be given each June to top students in each of Grades 10, 11 and 12. The values of the stamps are: Grade 10: $250 Grade 11: $250 Grade 12: $500 Grade 10: $250 Grade 11: $250 Grade 12: $500 The stamps can be redeemed as tuition credit at a designated post-secondary institutions. The tuition credit must be redeemed within five year of the student’s expected graduation date. The stamps can be redeemed as tuition credit at a designated post-secondary institutions. The tuition credit must be redeemed within five year of the student’s expected graduation date.

8. Designated Post-Secondary Schools * Check out: www.bced.gov.bc.ca/awards/other.htm > Designated Schools Search to see if you can use your Passport to Education at the post-secondary school you are interested in attending. www.bced.gov.bc.ca/awards/other.htm

9. GRADE 12 GRADUATION PROGRAM EXAMINATIONS SCHOLARSHIPS To qualify for a $1000 Graduation Program Examinations scholarship ($2500 for the 20 students with the highest scores) students must meet basic graduation requirements and: To qualify for a $1000 Graduation Program Examinations scholarship ($2500 for the 20 students with the highest scores) students must meet basic graduation requirements and: write at least three grade 12 graduation program exams, minimum 86% write at least three grade 12 graduation program exams, minimum 86% earn at least at least 73% in English 12 earn at least at least 73% in English 12 must redeem their scholarship voucher, at a designated post-secondary institution or apprenticeship program, within five years from September 30th of their graduating year. must redeem their scholarship voucher, at a designated post-secondary institution or apprenticeship program, within five years from September 30th of their graduating year.

10. Graduation program exams will be available in the following courses offered at MEI: Biology 12German 12 Chemistry 12History 12 English 12Physics 12 English Lit. 12Principles of Math 12 French 12Spanish 12 Geography 12

11. Dogwood District/Authority Awards This $1000 award ($500 cash and $500 voucher for post-secondary education*) is intended for students who have taken grade 11 & 12 courses and excelled in the following areas: This $1000 award ($500 cash and $500 voucher for post-secondary education*) is intended for students who have taken grade 11 & 12 courses and excelled in the following areas: Fine Arts (Visual Arts, Dance, Drama, Music) Fine Arts (Visual Arts, Dance, Drama, Music) Applied Skills (Business Ed., Technology Ed., Home Economics) Applied Skills (Business Ed., Technology Ed., Home Economics) Physical Activity (not limited to Physical Education) Physical Activity (not limited to Physical Education) Second Languages Second Languages

12. The criteria for DDAA include: superior achievement (80% or higher) in specialty area courses superior achievement (80% or higher) in specialty area courses a project, portfolio, record log and/or video (the “wow” factor) a project, portfolio, record log and/or video (the “wow” factor) a letter written by the student a letter written by the student a letter of recommendation by a teacher in the specialty area a letter of recommendation by a teacher in the specialty area a letter of recommendation by the counsellor / principal a letter of recommendation by the counsellor / principal * The scholarship voucher must be redeemed, at a designated post- secondary institution or apprenticeship program, within five years from September 30th of the student’s graduating year. * The scholarship voucher must be redeemed, at a designated post- secondary institution or apprenticeship program, within five years from September 30th of the student’s graduating year.

13. Abbotsford Community Foundation Scholarship & Bursary Awards The Abbotsford Community Foundation Scholarship & Bursary Awards are available to students who are: The Abbotsford Community Foundation Scholarship & Bursary Awards are available to students who are: * graduating from Abbotsford School District #34 secondary schools and/or MEI, and * furthering their education by attending accredited courses/programs or a vocational / technical school within two and a half years of high school graduation.

14. Criteria for these awards may include one or more of the following: high academic achievement high academic achievement school/community involvement school/community involvement leadership involvement leadership involvement good citizenship good citizenship membership in a specific organization, attendance at a specific elementary school or home address in a specific location membership in a specific organization, attendance at a specific elementary school or home address in a specific location financial need financial need pursuing specific post-secondary studies and/or pursuing specific post-secondary studies and/or connections – knowing the donor connections – knowing the donor

15. A complete Abbotsford Community Foundation application package will include: application form (including Social Insurance Number) application form (including Social Insurance Number) application letter written by the student application letter written by the student resume resume reference letter reference letter a transcript (first semester marks important) a transcript (first semester marks important) Students will receive information about these scholarships / bursaries in February, with applications due February 24 (tentative). The scholarship/bursary must be claimed within two and a half years of graduation.

16. APPLICATION DUE DATES Application dates vary: (eg. below are some award due dates - * tentative) TD Canada Trust Scholarships October 30, 2009 TD Canada Trust Scholarships October 30, 2009 SFU Entrance Scholarship February 28, 2010 SFU Entrance Scholarship February 28, 2010 Abbotsford Community Foundation AwardsFebruary 24, 2010* Abbotsford Community Foundation AwardsFebruary 24, 2010* UFV Entrance ScholarshipEarly April 2010* UFV Entrance ScholarshipEarly April 2010* Dogwood District Authority/AwardEarly April 8, 2010 Dogwood District Authority/AwardEarly April 8, 2010 Evergreen Alumni Award / Mary EsauEarly April 2010 Evergreen Alumni Award / Mary EsauEarly April 2010 Memorial Bursary / Margaret Wiens Memorial Bursary / Margaret Wiens Memorial Scholarship / The A440 Award Memorial Scholarship / The A440 Award Unless it says otherwise, assume that the application package must arrive at the donor organization by the due date. Unless it says otherwise, assume that the application package must arrive at the donor organization by the due date. Again, it is important to regularly check the GRAD bulletin board in Student Services and various award websites regularly, and to check with specific post-secondary institutions and organizations. Again, it is important to regularly check the GRAD bulletin board in Student Services and various award websites regularly, and to check with specific post-secondary institutions and organizations.

17. AWARD DEFERRALS: WHAT IF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION IS AT LEAST ONE YEAR AWAY ? Complete scholarship/bursary application packages even if post-secondary education is at least one year away, unless it very clearly says must be attending school in September 2010 Complete scholarship/bursary application packages even if post-secondary education is at least one year away, unless it very clearly says must be attending school in September 2010 Some awards are valid for at least one or more years after graduation Some awards are valid for at least one or more years after graduation If you are successful in receiving an award from a university, write a letter asking if it can be deferred, stating the reasons why If you are successful in receiving an award from a university, write a letter asking if it can be deferred, stating the reasons why eg. need to work, attending a Bible School

18. FINDING AWARD INFORMATION Check the Internet: Check the Internet: www.meisoc.com/secondary > Student Services www.meisoc.com/secondary > Student Services www.meisoc.com/secondary www.scholarshipscanada.com www.scholarshipscanada.com www.scholarshipscanada.com www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams www.bced.gov.bc.ca/awards www.bced.gov.bc.ca/awards www.bced.gov.bc.ca/awards www.studentawards.com www.studentawards.com www.studentawards.com www.canlearn.ca www.canlearn.ca www.canlearn.ca www.educationplanner.bc.ca www.educationplanner.bc.ca www.educationplanner.bc.ca www.collegeboard.com www.collegeboard.com www.collegeboard.com www.debtfreegrad.com www.debtfreegrad.com www.debtfreegrad.com www.ccufairs.ca www.ccufairs.ca www.ccufairs.ca www.careercruising.com www.careercruising.com www.careercruising.com www.keytoscholarships.com www.keytoscholarships.com www.keytoscholarships.com www.campusstarter.com www.campusstarter.com www.campusstarter.com

19. Finding Award Information - con’t. www.fastweb.com www.fastweb.com Post-secondary education websites Post-secondary education websites Organization & government websites Organization & government websites Various search engines Various search engines Check the GRAD bulletin board in Student Service Check the GRAD bulletin board in Student Service Listen to announcements and check posters, brochures, university “boxes” & bulletin boards Listen to announcements and check posters, brochures, university “boxes” & bulletin boards Look through books & newspapers, such as: Look through books & newspapers, such as: “Scholarships Canada.com 2005” “Scholarships Canada.com 2005” “Winning Scholarships” “Winning Scholarships” Scholarship Workbook by Pat Lee ($20) Scholarship Workbook by Pat Lee ($20)

20. THE APPLICATION PACKAGE Completed Scholarship & Bursary application packages may include the following: Completed Scholarship & Bursary application packages may include the following: An Application form: An Application form: use black pen or type use black pen or type don’t leave any space blank - if you think a questions doesn’t apply to you write, “not applicable” don’t leave any space blank - if you think a questions doesn’t apply to you write, “not applicable” if you aren’t sure how to answer a question, contact the organization offering the scholarship if you aren’t sure how to answer a question, contact the organization offering the scholarship may request letter grades may request letter grades may request a list of volunteer/work experiences may request a list of volunteer/work experiences may request a list of extra-curricular activities may request a list of extra-curricular activities may request a list of leadership contributions may request a list of leadership contributions may request your Social Insurance Number may request your Social Insurance Number

21. THE APPLICATION PACKAGE (con’t) An Interim Transcript: An Interim Transcript: * consists of your grade 10-12 courses and marks, when possible and/or most recent grade 12 report card Students must submit a Transcript Request form (available in Student Services) to the General Office at least 24 hours in advance. * consists of your grade 10-12 courses and marks, when possible and/or most recent grade 12 report card Students must submit a Transcript Request form (available in Student Services) to the General Office at least 24 hours in advance. A Personal Letter: A Personal Letter: * describing yourself, your volunteer & work experiences, your school & community experiences, leadership activities and, personal & career goals * describing yourself, your volunteer & work experiences, your school & community experiences, leadership activities and, personal & career goals

22. THE APPLICATION PACKAGE (con’t) Letters of Reference: Letters of Reference: if you can choose your reference, choose someone who knows you, your strengths & abilities, well if you can choose your reference, choose someone who knows you, your strengths & abilities, well eg. a teacher / coach who has had you for a few years or whose class you did well in (References should not be family members or relatives.) eg. a teacher / coach who has had you for a few years or whose class you did well in (References should not be family members or relatives.) sometimes the reference letter has to be written by a school counsellor or administrator sometimes the reference letter has to be written by a school counsellor or administrator give people as much time as possible to write a reference letter, minimum one week, preferably at least two weeks give people as much time as possible to write a reference letter, minimum one week, preferably at least two weeks provide a copy of your application, MEI Student Profile and/or resume to the person writing your reference letter provide a copy of your application, MEI Student Profile and/or resume to the person writing your reference letter provide a stamped envelope provide a stamped envelope send a “thank you” note to people who write letters of reference for you send a “thank you” note to people who write letters of reference for you

23. THE APPLICATION PACKAGE (con’t) An Essay: An Essay: * on a given topic - * on a given topic - eg. future goals & dreams, something you’re passionate about, significant or meaningful contribution you have made to the community * personal & original, interesting intro., be creative * personal & original, interesting intro., be creative * reflect how experiences have impacted your life, what you’ve learned through life experiences and involvement with others, and how you are or can use what you’ve learned, skills you’ve developed in life (reflect on yourself within the greater whole) * reflect how experiences have impacted your life, what you’ve learned through life experiences and involvement with others, and how you are or can use what you’ve learned, skills you’ve developed in life (reflect on yourself within the greater whole)

24. THE APPLICATION PACKAGE (con’t) A Resume: (1 -2 pages maximum) A Resume: (1 -2 pages maximum) must be word processed must be word processed begin with most recent involvements first and work “backwards”, unless the directions say otherwise begin with most recent involvements first and work “backwards”, unless the directions say otherwise An Interview: (eg. Mission Foundation Awards) An Interview: (eg. Mission Foundation Awards) * questions may be related to current contributions, community awareness, life experiences, future goals etc. * questions may be related to current contributions, community awareness, life experiences, future goals etc.

25. HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS Read through the application as soon as possible and carefully follow the directions on the application forms (make sure you qualify for the award/meet the criteria) Read through the application as soon as possible and carefully follow the directions on the application forms (make sure you qualify for the award/meet the criteria) Make a couple of photocopies of the scholarship application before you fill it out Make a couple of photocopies of the scholarship application before you fill it out Do the best you can in your courses while still living a balanced life Do the best you can in your courses while still living a balanced life Get involved in extra-curricular activities at school and in the community/church Get involved in extra-curricular activities at school and in the community/church Volunteer your time serving and helping others in school and in the community / church Volunteer your time serving and helping others in school and in the community / church

26. HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS (con’t) Take initiative / show leadership. Take initiative / show leadership. Initiate and organize a new program Initiate and organize a new program (eg. “Old to New”, “Tutoring”, “S.O.U.L”) (eg. “Old to New”, “Tutoring”, “S.O.U.L”) Do your best to be a positive person with a good attitude, effort and behaviour Do your best to be a positive person with a good attitude, effort and behaviour Be confident, emphasize strengths – “brag about yourself in a humble sort of way” Be confident, emphasize strengths – “brag about yourself in a humble sort of way” Develop good relationships with teachers / youth pastors / employers / adults etc. who can write reference letters for you – send a “Thank You” note to people who help you with the application process Develop good relationships with teachers / youth pastors / employers / adults etc. who can write reference letters for you – send a “Thank You” note to people who help you with the application process

27. HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS (con’t) Complete your application at least two weeks before the application deadline – request Transcripts early Complete your application at least two weeks before the application deadline – request Transcripts early When you ask someone to write a reference letter give them at least two weeks notice. Also, give them a copy of the scholarship/bursary criteria and a copy of your MEI Student Profile and/or Resume. When you ask someone to write a reference letter give them at least two weeks notice. Also, give them a copy of the scholarship/bursary criteria and a copy of your MEI Student Profile and/or Resume. Let your parents videotape you in school concerts, plays, community soccer games etc. Let your parents videotape you in school concerts, plays, community soccer games etc. Open a scholarship/bursary file on your computer and regularly enter information Open a scholarship/bursary file on your computer and regularly enter information

28. HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS (con’t) Start now already making a list of all paid/volunteer work experiences, accomplishments, contests entered, awards received etc. and dates/years involved Start now already making a list of all paid/volunteer work experiences, accomplishments, contests entered, awards received etc. and dates/years involved You or your parents may want to become members of organizations that offer scholarships & bursaries You or your parents may want to become members of organizations that offer scholarships & bursaries Get a Social Insurance Number Get a Social Insurance Number (Students must have a SIN to apply for the ACF Awards) (Students must have a SIN to apply for the ACF Awards)

29. HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS (con’t) Use flawless English in a very neat, clear format Use flawless English in a very neat, clear format (A rough draft first is recommended.) (A rough draft first is recommended.) Ask a parent, teacher, friend, counsellor etc. to proofread your application for content and/or for grammar – again, send a “Thank You” note to someone who takes time to help you Ask a parent, teacher, friend, counsellor etc. to proofread your application for content and/or for grammar – again, send a “Thank You” note to someone who takes time to help you Make sure the completed application package, project etc. is your own work Make sure the completed application package, project etc. is your own work Keep a copy of all application packages you submit on file at home Keep a copy of all application packages you submit on file at home

30. HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS (con’t) Check the GRADE 12 bulletin board and scholarship & bursary related websites regularly – due dates vary. Unless it says otherwise assume that application packages must arrive at the destination by the due date. Check the GRADE 12 bulletin board and scholarship & bursary related websites regularly – due dates vary. Unless it says otherwise assume that application packages must arrive at the destination by the due date. Don’t procrastinate - working towards and applying for scholarships & bursaries involves time ~ time working hard, time getting involved and time taking the initiative to search for, read and complete application packages Don’t procrastinate - working towards and applying for scholarships & bursaries involves time ~ time working hard, time getting involved and time taking the initiative to search for, read and complete application packages If you win an award send a “Thank You” letter/note to the donor as soon as possible If you win an award send a “Thank You” letter/note to the donor as soon as possible

31. A Final Thought Winning one or more scholarship or bursary awards is not guaranteed, however, getting involved in enriching activities and serving others can help to make your high school experience Winning one or more scholarship or bursary awards is not guaranteed, however, getting involved in enriching activities and serving others can help to make your high school experience more memorable and meaningful, and make a difference in the lives of others.